West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused the central government of deliberately withholding funds owed to the state, but said development work would continue regardless of what she described as “political discrimination.” Speaking at an administrative review meeting in Bolpur, Banerjee reiterated allegations that the Centre has been persistently depriving West Bengal after failing to “gain political control” over it. She also referred to recent reports of alleged harassment of Bengali communities in several BJP-ruled states. “The Centre has stopped releasing funds. But even in this situation, we must carry forward development work,” Banerjee told senior officials and elected representatives. “The work will be funded entirely by the state.”

She outlined a decentralised funding plan in which district councils (Zilla Parishads) and Panchayat Samitis will each contribute 5% of local development funds, while Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) will allocate INR 1 million (approximately $12,000) each from their local area development budgets. The remaining funds will be provided by the state government, she said, adding that all contributions will be coordinated through the respective District Magistrates.

Banerjee has frequently accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of financially discriminating against opposition-ruled states, particularly West Bengal, where her Trinamool Congress party has held power since 2011.

The federal government has not immediately responded to her latest allegations.